Boat construction



April 5, 1932. H. B. TOBIAS 1,852,493

BOAT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l N w' H l a: if. I l l 9 H! 1111 I 3 W l \d 4 m IHUEHTOD April 5, 1932. H. a. roams BOAT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 villl llllllllil .llll; .Ititllllltll;

FIGJ5 FICELII A IHVEHTOQ:

Patented Apr. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERRMA'NN B. T OBIAS, OF TOWNSHIP OF UPPER DAR-BY, DELAWARE COUNTY, IENNSYLVANIA BOAT CONSTRUCTION Application filed July 18,

My present invention relates to the construction of the framing and hull of boats of various types and sizes, and particularly those intended for heavy duty.

The main object of the invention is to provide a method of constructing the frames and the hull of boats from suitable rust resisting metal in a manner adaptable for quantity production at a very rapid rate and economlcal cost and when so built to be practically noneinkable even when slightly damaged,

foundered or capsized.

In carrying out my invention I provide a series of tubular metal frames of various contours and set on certain determined centers as required by the design of the hull outlined and I secure to these frames fore-and-aft strakes of tubular metal divided in their length to form a plurality of air cells all as set forth herein.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows the port elevation of a typical motor yacht.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of one half of the deck and one half of the hull framing of the motor yacht.

Figure 3 is an enlarged scale cross section amidship the motor yacht on line 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a large scale cross section of a frame taken on line 4-4 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a cross section of the strakes taken on line 5-5 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 6 is an interior sectional view of the frame and strakes.

Figure 7 is a large scale cross section of a frame taken on line 77 of Figures 8 and 9 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing an alternate connecting method.

Figure 8 is a cross section of the strakes, taken on line 8--8 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is an interior sectional view of a frame and strakes.

Figures 10-11-12 and 13 are cross sections of the strakes showing variations in their profiles and method of assembly.

1930. Serial N0. 468,957.

Figure 14- is a longitudinalsection of a frame oint.

To better illustrate my invention I have in dicated on the drawings a usual type of motor yacht with a modified V bottom, having a bow or stem 14,-'a stern or transom 15,- a keel l6,--horn timber 17,--deadwood 18,-bilge 19freeboard 20frames 21- strakes 22-main deck 23-cabin trunks 24- trunk decks 25pilot cabin 26 etc. etc. and the necessary interior and exterior mechanical and other equipment and finishingsmost of which is not shown.

A boat constructed according to my invention comprises a plurality of tubular cross frames 21 curved as required by their respective position in the boat and spaced according to the load and impact to be sustained at a given position. 7

These frames are secured in their proper position to the tubular horn timber 17 and tubular keel 16 which is shapedor curved foreward to form the forefoot 27 and to join with the tubular stem 14.

To the various frames 21 are fastened a plurality of the strakes 22 bent and twisted to conform to their respective positions in the hull and to the established contour of the hull as will be hereinafter described.

In general the construction of a boat in accordance with my invention follows the architectural practice applicable to wooden hulls using, however, metal tubes simulating as far as practicable wood timber cross sections.

These tubes are generally of square or rectangular form and in certain positions they are of special form such as a triangular form for the chines 28 in V bottomboats and the ,cutwater at the stern 14;, or a segmental form for the whale and bilge st-rakes in round bottom boats, etc.

The tubes vary in size of profile and thickness of metal in proportion to the strength required for a given size and weight of boat; are made of seamless or welded tubing and of rust resisting metals such as copper alloy steel, Allegheny metal, etc. or of non-ferrous metal alloys.

The various tubular members forming the 109 hull are assembled from short lengths of tub ing after each length has been sealed by welding or brazing to form an absolutely air tight casing.

Therefore a complete frame including the floor beams 30, the deck carlins 31 and 33 and cabin trunk frame 24 etc. will be formed of a number of shorter tubes creating an equal number ofair cases, also a fore-andaft strake will be formed into a continuous member by welding together a number of shorter sections each forming a tight air case of such length as to span two or three of the frames 21.

For the type of motor yacht as illustrated in Figures 1, 2' and 3, the keel shown will be assembledwith either a plurality of large section tubes or a plurality of small section tubes in double layers welded to specially shaped air cases to form the horn timber extension 17 the filling deadwood section 18 and the necessary supports for the rudder 35 etc. etc.

It is not possible to fully cover the application of this invention to the large variety of boats-yachts, sloops, yawls, sea-sleds and other ships-encompassed by the art of naval architecture, but it is obvious that a descrip tion of a. few unitsof the hull structure as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 will disclose the basic principles of my invention.

In Figure 6, showing an interior view of the strake assembly, it is assumed that the air cases are of such length as to span between two of the frames 21 whereas in actual practice the air cases will be of such length as to span between three of the frames 21 with the center of the air case provided with clips 60 to engage the intermediate frame as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

To construct a complete fore-and-aft strake 22 rectangular tubes are used as shown at 22A, Figure 5. H

A portion of the sides at the ends of the air case tube sections are cut and bent over as at 50 and the joints 51 around three sides of the bent flange 50 are welded to form an hermetical seal.

The channel-form projection 22B resubing from the above operation is placed over the U formed harness 52 and welded thereto.

The meeting joint 53 between the ends of the channel-forms 22B are also welded smooth thereby sealing the joint against water passage and further securing it to the harness 52.

The width of the harness 52 is such as to fit snugly over the tubular frame 21 and is provided with flanges 52A. which are drilled for bolts.

A clamping member 54 is provided to envelop the frame 21, having flanges 54A,

drilled for bolts.

Bolts 55 are passed through the flanges 52A and 54A and when tightened will rigidly secure the strake 22 to the frame 21.

The clamping member 54 will be provided with additional flanges for the support of the wood interior finishing of the cabins etc.

The assembly of a number of strakes on the frames 21 results in the joints 56 which are filled in with a caulking compound.

Every joint 56 between the strakes 22 is backed up by a batten 57 of sheet metal continuous from stem to transom, across the transom etc. etc.

The batten 57 is in the present instance like the letter T formed by bending a sheet of metal upon itself and bending the free edges to form the flanges 57A.

These battens 57 are held in position against the frames 21'when the strakes 22 are assembled and by their projection into the joint 56 act as spacers for said joint and as stoppers for the caulking compound; thereby sealing the interior of the hull against the ingress of water.

The air case units for the frames 21 or other parts of theboat structure'are formed like the strakes units and where no harness is required the overall smooth surface of the frame etc. is obtained by welding together the ends of the air cases at the meeting edge 58 and elsewhere with an inserted channel section 59 as shown in Figure 14. j

The above description illustrates the basic principles ofjassembling the hull of a boat as well as the dock and above deck structures of said boat resulting in a fairly smooth exterior surface. 4 i

Slight departures from the above details are possible without departing from the basic principle of construction and, therefore, in Figures 7 8 and 9, I showa modified form of connecting the strakes to the frames.

In this modified form the harness 60 and 62 also the clamping members 63 are different while all other features are as previously described and shown in Figures 4-'56.

In Figure 8 the harness 62 is cut out at 62A to form a recess for the clamp 63 and a tongue 64. i I t The free end of the harness 62 is raised at 62B, thereby creating the shoulders 62C and raising the tongue 64 above the plane of the wedge 65.

The L formed clamping members 63 are provided with flanges 63A of such projection as to pass closely under the tongue 64.

The Wedge '65 when driven between the shoulders 62C of the harness 62 and the flange 63A of the clamping member 63 will rigidly secure the strakes 22 against the frames 21. V

After the wedges are set their free ends are bent or twisted to prevent their slipping.

At points where the center of an air case unit is to be fastened to a frame in lieu of the harness v62 modified harness members 60 are welded to the strake 22 through the integral flanges 60A.

Still another method is available for secur ing the straltcs to the frames by welding the harness 52 to the frame 21 without the use of the clamp 54: in which case the flanges 52A may be omitted.

As shown in Figure 1 the meeting points between the air cases forming any given strake are so arranged that they center with supporting frame and break joints with meeting points of air cases in adjacent strakes.

T his arrangement increases the strength of the hull structure and is also used for the construction of the deck flooring 23, 25 and other similar sections of a boat.

Although I have shown in Figures 5 and 8 the cross section of a st-rake to be of a simple rectangular form, it is possible to modify this section without departing from the principle of my invention.

Therefore, in Figure 10, the cross section of the strake tube 22 is modified to form con tinuous grooves in the edges thereof.

In these grooves are inserted during assembly continuous metal strips 71 to form stops for the caulking in the joints 56.

In Figure 11 the edges of the strakes 22 are provided with continuous cylindrical grooves 73 arranged to receive a packing of either crimped cotton or strands of oakum 74 which act as stops for the caulking compound in the joints 56.

In Figure 1a the edges of the strakes 22 are provided near the inner face with continuous bead sections 75 arranged to contact with the head on the adjacent strake and thereby create a stop for the caulking 56.

In Figure 13, the strake sections are of simple rectangular tubing arranged, to contact with adjacent strakes, and to eliminate all caulking, the outer face of the joint being continuously welded at 78.

It will be noted that a boat constructed according to my invention will have great strength and a buoyancy greater than ordinary steel boats and approximating that of wooden boats; such buoyancy offering a minimum resistance when runnin A boat constructed according to my invention can be assembled rapidly and economically and when damaged can be repaired very easily.

Because of the plurality of air cases forming the frame, hull and decking of such a boat it can not be readily sunk on account of any break in the hull.

The volume of air held in the air cases forming the frame and hull of such a boat should be so proportioned that the boat will remain floating with its deck at the surface of a body of water when the interior of the hull is full of water and a small percentage of the air cases are destroyed.

It is very obvious to those versed in the ship building art that in connection with the invention herein described, variations in details are necessary to meet the conditions established for the many types of boats being built and therefore, I do not wish to be re stricted to the exact detail of construction shown and described as it is further obvious that any boatregardless of type, size, form or purpose etc having a hull constructed of tubular metal members, divided into a plurality of air tight cases and rigidly secured to each other comes within the scope and purpose of my invention.

\Vhat I claim is:

l. A boat-construction of the character described comprising a hull having frames, stanchions, carlins, keel, strakes, decking and other structural parts formed of a plurality of angular metal tube sections with ends sealed air-tight and assembled end to end and placed side by side, rigidly secured to each other and sealed to exclude water from the interior.

2'. A boat-construction of the character described comprising a hull and frame formed of a plurality of angular metal tube sections sealed airtight and provided with end flanges; means for assembling these air-tight sections end to end to form the various structural frame and hull members; means for assembling these members in a rigid structure and for placing the shell members adjacent to each other and means for caulking the joints to seal the shell against the ingress of water to the interior of the hull.

3. A boat-construction of the character described comprising a hull having a plurality of angular tubular metal members sealed to form air-tight cases and assembled end to end to create frames, stanchions,carlins,keels, strakes, decking and other structural parts; means for rigidly assembling these parts and placing exterior members adjacent to each other to form caulking joints and create a smooth surfaced hull as set forth herein.

4. A boat-construction of the character described comprising a hull formed of a plurality of air-tight tubular metal casings of angular form provided with end flanges; means for assembling these air-tight tubular sections end to end and for curving and twist ing them to form continuous fore-and-aft strakes, frames, stanchions, carlins, keels, decking and other structural members of the shell and hull; means for securing in a rigid manner these various members to each other and means for assembling the hull members adjacent to each other to form caulking joints for the purpose of sealing the shell against the ingress of water.

5. In a boat-construetion of the character described the combination of a hull, frames, stanchions, carlins keel, strakes, decking and sundry structural parts entirely assembled with angular metal tubes and means for building the said parts by the assembly of a plurality of short lengths of angular tubes having their ends sealed air-tight and joined end to end in a rigid manner; bling the hull and deck sections with a plurality of these parts set adjacent to each other and means for sealing the intermediate joints to prevent ingress of water to the interior of the hull.

6. In a ship of the character described, a keel and frames formed of angular metal tube sections, a hull and decking formed of a plurality of angular metal tube sections; means for creating the keel, frames, strakes and decking by assembling end to end a plurality of the said air-tig it angular metal tube cases; means of securing these air-tight cases to each other by providing anchoring members at the joining point between their ends and means for placing the hull, strakes and decking side by side with a metal batten separator, and caulking the joints so as to render the interior of the hull and decking water tight, all as set forth herein.

7. A boatconstruction 0f the character demeans for assemv to exclude'water from the interior of the boat.

10. A boat construction of the character described comprising a hull with the framing members formed of a plurality of hollow metal casings sealed air-tight and assembled end to end and with the shell members simi larly formed and arranged side by side rigidly secured to said framing and to each other and means for sealing the intermediate joints to exclude water from the interior of the boat.

11. A boat construction of the character described comprising a hull constructed of a plurality of hollow metal casings sealed airtight and assembled end to end through anchoring devices, and means for shaping and arranging these parts to form the frame and shell members and for rigidly securing them to each other and means for arranging the shell members side by side and for sealing the intermediate joints to exclude Water from the interior of the hull.

HERRMANN B. TOBIAS.

scribed comprising in the hull a skeleton frame assembled from a plurality of angular air-tight tubular sections of metal and a shell assembled with a plurality of strakes, each strake being built up from a plurality of angular tubular air-tight cases of metal rigidly secured to each other; means for securing all said strakes and other members of the boat to said frames; means for assembling said strakes side by side to create a smooth exterior surface to the hull and means for sealing the joints between the strakes and other members for the purpose of rendering the interior of the hull water tight.

8. A boat construction of the character described comprising a hull constructed of a plurality of angular tubular meta-l members aving sealed ends to render these sections air-tight; flanges provided at the ends of these sections; harnesses attached to the ends of these sections for the purpose of securely connecting these air-tight tubular metal sections end to end to form continuous members for creating the various parts of the hull and framing; means for securely assembling these parts in such manner as to create a smooth suriaced eXterior, hull and decking, etc. and means for placing these continuous hull and deck members adjacent to each other with suflicient spacing between them to create caulking joints for the purpose of preventing the ingress of water to the interior of the hull, all as set forth herein.

9. A boat construction of the character described comprising a plurality of hollow metal casings with ends sealed air-tight and assembled end to end through anchoring devices arranged to form framing members and disposed side by side to form the shell of a hull, rigidly secured to each other and sealed 

